Sofa Soirée: The Modern Muse

On the night of September 19th, two days before Montreal Fashion Week began, Sofa Soirée hosted The Modern Muse runway show. Founded by Tinhinane Boussaid, Sofa Soirée organizes fashion and beauty-centred events designed for women. Featuring seven Montreal-based designers, the Modern Muse offered a glimpse into the city’s fashion scene through a distinctly feminine lens.

 

The night began with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, pop-ups, and networking. In partnership with ELLE Québec, Alcôve Hair, and Maison Jacynthe, each seat featured a small collection of goodies for guests to enjoy.

 

 

Studio Giovanelli provided an alluring backdrop to the night. Large windows enveloped the room, letting in the golden sunset and views of the skyline and St. Helen’s Island. They also created an unexpected opportunity for guests to connect, with guests taking photos in front of them and often asking girls they had just met to help capture and direct the shot. The studio’s industrial interior also created an interesting contrast with the evening’s dreamy aesthetic.

 

 

As the last of the sunset faded and conversation settled, guests found their seats in anticipation of the runway. The room quieted, the music swelled, and the first model stepped out. Below are some of the standout looks from the show.

 

Pretty and Pink

Pretty and Pink took a classic approach to femininity, featuring pink fabrics, summery babydoll tops, and lace trimmings. Soft silhouettes and pastel tones gave the looks a romantic feel, leaning into the brand’s polished, hyper-feminine identity.

 

 

Juliette Laroche

Juliette Laroche’s collection used floral motifs throughout, whether through oversized appliqués, delicate embroidery, or floral jewellery. This detail created a unifying thread across otherwise varied silhouettes. The collection had an especially whimsical quality: the soft lavenders, dusty pink tones, and oversized flowers added to the fairytale-like atmosphere.

 

Photographs by Tetiana (@awwwtabi)

 

Sage Eden Designs

Sage Eden Designs featured a line of one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by vintage nightwear. Frilled garters accompanied each look, while lace appeared throughout the collection, adding to its delicate, lingerie-inspired feel.

 

The seventh look featured a dainty yellow set with a semi-sheer, lace-trimmed top and matching mini shorts. Strongly reminiscent of vintage sleepwear, the look featured a loose silhouette and subtle bow detailing. The sheer fabric gave it a modern edge.

 

Photographs by Tetiana (@awwwtabi)

 

Sage Eden also ran a pop-up throughout the evening, featuring her own line of jewelry and vintage watches.

 

Photographs by Zack Préfontaine (@zackprefontaine)

 

Melina Couture

Melina Couture delivered some of the night’s most striking looks. Though the collection collectively leaned into a playful, hyper-feminine aesthetic, each look featured a unique mix of materials, patterns, and silhouettes. The silhouettes ranged from full, voluminous skirts to micro-mini ruffled shorts and waist-cinching corsets. She contrasted soft pinks and tulle with bolder details like leopard print and faux fur, exploring different forms of femininity.

 

Photographs by Tetiana (@awwwtabi)

 

ANASET

ANASET took a darker, more elusive take on femininity. The collection’s colour palette mostly consisted of black and deep red accents, with one pink satin mini dress standing out from the rest. Fitted silhouettes and large satin ruffles at the hem created dramatic, statuesque looks, framing femininity through glamour and sophistication.

 

 

Avenir Vert

Avenir Vert is known for upcycling vintage and deadstock materials to create new, one-of-a-kind pieces. For the Modern Muse, designer Olivia Donahue created a collection mixing vintage and contemporary design elements. Different textures, silhouettes, and materials gave each look its own character, while repurposed materials tied the collection together.

 

 

Lise René de Cotret

Lise René de Cotret’s collection had the audience in awe. With Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake playing in the background, it took on an almost theatrical quality. Layers of white fabric, lace, trailing panels, and sculptural details gave the looks movement, while corsetry and blindfold-like accessories added tension to the softness. The result felt ethereal, dramatic, and slightly surreal, closing the show on a striking note.

 

 

As people slowly filtered out of the studio, the sense of community that had defined the evening lingered. Models mingled with guests and posed for photos, while conversations continued over favourite looks from the night. Sofa Soiree offered Montreal women more than a conventional runway experience. The Modern Muse reflected Montreal’s creative energy while celebrating femininity and girlhood.